Juan Manuel Iturbe, the player dubbed “the new Lionel Messi”, has completed a surprise transfer move from Hellas Verona to Roma, despite being linked with a host of European giants.

Reports in Italy suggest that the 21-year-old Argentine forward, who was once capped for Paraguay at the age of 16, turned down Juventus following the departure of manager Antonio Conte late last night.

He has now clinched a €31m move to Roma, who finished second in Serie A last season, behind Juventus. The deal will of course see him link-up with former Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole.

Iturbe was filmed entering a car with Giallorossi director Walter Sabatini and his entourage this afternoon. Asked by fans wielding cameraphones if he was “happy to be a Roma player,” Iturbe replied only “yes.”

Other sides interested in Iturbe were Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Benfica, with Roma moving swiftly to add to their captures of Cole and Urby Emanuelson. The player was also brought to the attention of Liverpool earlier this year, but they were put off due to Verona’s high asking price.